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Fleets shifting from diesel to alternative power

So says fleet management specialist CLM, adding that although the numbers are still small, they suggest the beginning of a fleet shift towards alternative power trains.

CLM looked back over months of new vehicle registrations and found that at the end of Q4 in 2014, diesel models accounted for 90.4% of all new models ordered on the CLM fleet. However, by the end of Q1 of this year that rate had fallen by 4.8% to 85.6% of all new orders.

At the same time, the percentage of petrol models being ordered increased from 4.5% at the end of 2014 to 9.6% by the end of the first quarter of 2015 – the highest level for a number of years.

Meanwhile, hybrids and electric vehicles are beginning to increase their toehold on the CLM managed fleet of 14,000 vehicles. Although the starting point is still from a very low base, the number of hybrids and plug-in hybrids now being ordered by CLM has increased to 4.9% of the fleet mix.

Pure electric vehicles, meanwhile, continue to struggle to make an impression on the order statistics, accounting for just 0.2% of the fleet mix at the end of 2014, but enquiry levels are rising.

CLM’s data also shows that fleet clients are paying attention to its advice to accelerate take-up of low-carbon cars. The average carbon dioxide figures across the CLM fleet have declined by 5g/km year-on-year from an average of 125g/km to 120g/km at the end of last year.

CLM’s current advice to its clients on the best mix of vehicles for their fleets is based on the most common type of driving that they do. 

Simon Cotton, CLM general manager, said: “For fleets with a large percentage of high mileage journeys, typically on motorways, then we advise that diesel vehicles remain the most cost advantageous option due to their lower fuel consumption. 

“For fleets with mainly low mileage needs, petrol-engined models usually present the best option because of their improved running costs and lower capital outlay compared to diesel equivalents, which have a front-end price premium. 

“And for fleets that operate in a largely urban environment with a lot of stop-start driving, the best options can be hybrids, range extenders and pure EVs. The final choice comes down to the flexibility requirements of the fleet and overnight parking and recharging arrangements,” he said.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.